Is Smart Bro a Smart Choice?

For someone who doesn’t have a landline that offers affordable DSL, the options for DSL/Broadband connection include the following:

• Get a new landline connection from a different network provider; or
• Get a Wireless Connection
  

The first option is quite expensive as I would have to pay for the installation fee for the landline and DSL. Aside from that, I would also have to pay for the monthly service fee of the phone which I would rarely use. And unfortunately, there’s no available PLDT line in our area (Ah, provincial life).

Since Smart offered waived installation fee for its wireless broadband connection, it appealed to be the promising option. A thousand a month is already a good deal for a broadband connection.

You’ll really never know if a decision is actually a good deal unless you’ve experienced the service already. I’ve been using Smart Bro for more than three months already and I’ve been experiencing a lot of problems. I’m not sure if I’m just a jinx in technology related venture. But really, these problems have caused my work. I talk to clients on-line and submit deliverables on-line.

Limited or No Connectivity

This is the usual problem that Smart Bro subscribers experience (see http://www.smartwifi.org.ph/). The connection often fluctuates. The bad thing about it, you’ll never know when you’re connection will be down. One time, I inquired from their Customer Service why I experience Limited or No Connectivity from 7pm until the next morning. The CSR just told me that they were very sorry for not informing the subscriber that there was some sort of on-going maintenance in the area.

Two-Weeks ago, I again experienced that “Limited or No Connectivity” status. I thought it was another maintenance thing. Unfortunately, something was really wrong about my Internet connection. Even before I called their Customer Service, I already tinkered and try to troubleshoot the connection myself.

Disable the LAN --> Enable LAN --> Change IP Setting --> Unplug the Antenna --> Restart the Computer --> Re-plug the Antenna (and the cycle went on)…

Nothing happened.

That’s why I decided to call the Customer Service. (Well, I’d like to congratulate Smart Bro for having more CSRs. They badly need to have a lot of CSRs because of the problems their causing their subscribers.) They asked me to do the same thing. The only additional discovery for me was the “pinging” using MS-DOS. Then again, nothing happened.

Apparently, the problem had nothing to do with the connection (meaning the signal) but it had something to do with the device. So they had a group of guys (ala "Alega Gang" dahil naka motorcycle silang lahat) visit the house to check the antenna. The Alega Gang had to the antenna because it was already broken. Duh, it was already broken while we had the connection just three months ago.

Right now, I don’t actually recommend Smart Bro for those people thinking of availing the service. I guess there are other Internet Service Providers that could provide great deal (affordable and efficient service). Maybe Smart is still improving the system (from Smart Wi-fi to Smart Bro).

Oh, I just wish they improve their system very soon.